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SERMONS IN RHYME 



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SERMONS IN RHYME 



BY 
JUDITH L. C. GARNETT 




THE NEALE PUBLISHING COMPANY 

440 FOURTH AVE., NEW YORK 

1916 



1 ,f\ b v 



Copyright, 1916, Br 
Judith L. C. Garnett 




JAN 18 1917 

©CI.A455219 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

The Pbince of Peace g 

Nemesis 10 

Spbing ,, 

Death ,, 

Safety 22 

The Curse of Cain 12 

Aunt Dinah's Repulse 14 

Heartbroken 2 4 

America 15 

The Hypocbite Chbistian 17 

To the New Yeab 19 

The Finished Pboduct 19 

In the " Uppeb Gabden " ■. 20 

The Last Decision 21 

Chbistmas 21 

The Wobld in a Sling 22 

LosT 23 

Heaven 24 

Two Mastebs, Two Fields, Two Paths, and Two Homes 25 

The Call of the Home 26 



Pbepabedness 



27 



Magdalene 29 



The Hebo's Failube 



30 



Slaves 31 

The Bbunt of the Fight 33 



CONTENTS 



PAGE 

Easter 35 

Delilah 35 

The Traitor's Wealth 36 

Just a Woman; Not a Suffragette 36 

Cheer Up! 38 

The Broken Promise ............ 39 

Opportunity . 39 

Jezebel " 41 

Co-workers with God 42 

The Perfect Pattern 43 

Idols 43 

The Unruly Tongue 45 

To-day 46 

Heartbreaking 47 

Mister and Mistress Timeserver ....... 48 

The Poor Rich Man 49 

At the Marriage Altar 49 

The Devil's Castoff 50 

Great Men . . . .51 

The Heart of the Father 52 

Death 53 

Under the Rose 54 

Defeated 54 

Forever 55 

Greatness ' 56 

The Difference 57 

In Jail, and Out 58 

God's Country 59 



SERMONS IN RHYME 



SERMONS IN RHYME 



THE PRINCE OF PEACE 

From whence come wars and fightings among you? — 
James iv, 1. 

nations new, nations old, 

While you spare not man, nor gun, nor gold, 

The Mighty One, the Prince of Peace, 

Doth command you that your strifes must cease ; 

While yet you snarl and clash and hate, 

His white flag gleams near Heaven's gate. 

Brother of mine by war defiled, 

Think of Bethlehem's babe, — the Heaven-born child 

Cast down thy sword and reach to me 

A brother's hand on land or sea. 

Brother, stay war's crimes to-day, 

And let us try the Prince 's way ! 

Our hearts are God's for heaven and time ; 

'Tis Satan that makes us lust for crime. 

God gives us room where we may be 

Akin on land and on the sea. 

Brother, stay thy sword to-day, 

And let us try the great King's way. 

Brother of mine, — anear or far, — 

God will judge of our deeds, — what our battles are, — 

Will strip sin's heart of godless pride, 

Though gold be great and lands be wide. 

Brother, reach thy hand to me, — 

A brother's hand on land or sea. 



10 SERMONS IN RHYME 



Yes, Brother of mine, — anear or far, — 
One will judge what our battles are ; 
One will judge between thee and me; 
The One who made earth, sky, and sea, — 
"Will rule all nations, rule each man, 
Though great the nation and vast the plan. 
Brother, cast your sword away 
And let us turn to Him to-day. 



NEMESIS 

Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 
Galatians vi, 7. 

Nemesis, Nemesis, 

With your dark and lowered brow, 
I see you stand and measure 

Sin's black harvest to me now. 

Nemesis, Nemesis, — 

God, have pity on me now! — 

I see you stand and measure 
With relentless hand and brow. 

Nemesis, Nemesis, — 

Dear Christ, oh, pitying, stay 

The crushing weight of harvest 
That she measures out to-day! 



SERMONS IN RHYME 11 



SPRING 

Understanding is a wellspring of life to him that hath it. 
Proverbs xvi, 22. 

The old man smiled and listened, 
For the old man 's heart was young ; 

And he loved the gold of the crocus, 
And the song that the robin sung. 

The old man smiled and listened, 
For he thought of heaven 's bloom 

And the blessed voices of angels 
That sing gladly beyond the tomb. 



DEATH 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. 
— Psalm ocxiii, 4- 

The journey, oh, the journey, — 

With neither friend nor gold, 
With neither sight nor hearing, — 

Out in the dark and cold! 

The journey, oh, the journey, — 

The journey all must take ! — 
But God will guard me resting, 

And greet me when I wake. 



12 SERMONS IN RHYME 



SAFETY 

But whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. 
Proverbs xxix, 25. 

Oh, the wind blows north, 

And the wind blows west, 
And black is the frown 

On the east-cloud's crest; 
And the wild wind may harm 

My tent where it stands, 
But my soul is safe, 

In Jehovah's hands. 

Ah, sin journeys north, 

And sin travels south; 
Like a famished wolf's 

Is its wide-stretched mouth. 
And though sin press me hard, 

Yet it can not kill 
My soul, held safe 

By God's mighty will. 



THE CURSE OF CAIN 

And now art thou cursed. — Genesis iv, 11. 

O Brother, my Brother, 

Cold, silent art thou, 
With my sword in thy breast, 

And death 's dew on thy brow ! 



SERMONS IN RHYME 13 



Brother, my Brother, 
With thy cross to bear, — 

Did I send the barbed dart, 
And no soft word to cheer? 

Brother, my Brother, 

With wounds deep and wide,- 

1 beheld thy dread plight, 
Yet thy kinship denied. 

Brother, my Brother, 
Have I robbed thy store 

Of thy fame, — more than life, — 
And of peace evermore? 

Brother, my Brother, 

If thy life I mar, 
Then my bosom must bear 

The same torture and scar; 

And Brother, my Brother, 
God 's question will be : 

"Where, — the brother I gave, — 
Answer now, — where is he ? " 



14 SERMONS IN EHYME 

AUNT DINAH'S EEPULSE 

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. — James iv, 7. 

Does yer know dat wicked rascal 
Sed ter Dinah, — dat's po' me, — 

"Darlin', ef yer 11 only lub me, 
Yo' kin hab de worl' an' sea?" 

Den I sed to dat ole rascal : 

"Yo' ole debil," — dat was him, — 

"See dis rollin'-pin I'se got here? — 
An' I'se neither weak ner slim !" 

HEARTBROKEN 

He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted. — Luke iv, 18. 

The home I loved is lonely 
As the dead bird's last year's nest, 

And only by my sad heart's blood 
Know I the east or west. 

The love that cheered my lifetime 
Now has sought another's breast; 

And unto one who heeds you not, 
You give your tear, — your jest. 

Yet from my grief, triumphant 
Shall new joy and greatness rise, 

For He who heals the broken heart, 
Such solace ne'er denies. 



SERMONS IN RHYME 15 



AMERICA 

And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for 
such a time as this? — Esther iv, 14- 

America, America, 

How many weep to-day 
For peace from the battle, 

For rest from the fray! 

America, America, 

Ah, how well might you teach 
Peace, — Christ's gentle lesson 

That He gave to each. 

America, America, 

Ah, how well might you stand, 
With love in your bosom, 

And peace in your hand ! 

America, America, 

Ah, how well might you speak 
"Wise words to the mighty, — 

Wise words to the weak ! 

America, America, 

The Lord now gives to you 
To teach wondrous lessons 

And great deeds to do. 



16 SERMONS IN RHYME 



America, America, 

Ah, what good can there be, 
In hate's spring that fills up 

The war's bloody sea? 

America, America, 

Ah, now forget the past; 
And teach Christ's sweet lesson 

Of peace to the last. 

America, America, 

There dwell within your gate, 
Men from every nation, — 

The children of fate. 

America, America, 

Sound now the gospel call : 
Oh, peace for the mighty ! 

Peace, too, for the small ! 

America, America, 

Ah, in war's bloody lands, 
How awful the grief is, 

How awful the bands ! 

America, America, — 
Kin to the nations all, — 

Ah, shout out Christ 's message, 
And cheer no man 's fall. 



SERMONS IN RHYME 17 



America, America, 

Ah, let it never be 
Your ears will not hearken, 

Your eyes will not see ! 

America, America, 

All Satan's joy is hate. 

How great is the bondage, — 
The grief, — at your gate ! 

America, America, 

Oh, choose to-day to be 
The land of the noble, 

The land of the free ! 



THE HYPOCRITE CHRISTIAN 

For what is the hope of the hypocrite? — Job xxvii, 8. 

Suppose, in the day of judgment, 

God should say to you or me : 
"Hypocrite, thou Hypocrite, 

Woe evermore to thee ! 

"Hypocrite, thou Hypocrite, 

The devil has done his part ; 
And thou hast helped him with thy hands, 

And helped him with thy heart ! 



18 SERMONS IN RHYME 



"Hypocrite, thou Hypocrite, 

The world is black for thee 
And for the souls led to hell's brink 

And harked to shoreless sea! 

"Hypocrite, thou Hypocrite, 
Who took, — who wore my name ; 

But thou hast lived to give me grief, — 
Hast lived to bring me shame. 

"Hypocrite, thou Hypocrite, 
"Who claimed my all thine own : 

Who served hell's chief with gems and gold,- 
For Me the husk and stone. 

"Hypocrite, thou Hypocrite, — 

Worse than the devil's own, 
For he took not my name to wear, 

Nor dared approach my throne. 

"Hypocrite, thou Hypocrite, 

Eternal woe to thee, 
For thy dread doom the ceaseless flame 

And devil's pit must be!" 



SERMONS IN RHYME 19 



TO THE NEW YEAR 

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts 
unto wisdom. — Psalms xc, 12. 

New Year, New Year, 

You are near, — are at the door, — 
For no man can stay your coming 

By the sea or by the shore; 
Nor bar, nor soldiers strong, with sword in hand, 
Can halt your progress, or your march withstand. 

New Year, New Year, 

Stop, and be a witness true 
When I vow, amid your sunshine, — 

Mid your clouds and mid your dew, — 
To seek my Master's way, to give my mite, 
And so find favor in God's holy sight. 

THE FINISHED PRODUCT 

One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more here- 
after. — Revelation ix, 12. 

Once on a time there was a man, 

And he was good and true ; 
But he took a drink of whiskey, 

And later he took two. 

Once on a time there was his son, 

And he was partly true; 
But he took a drink of whiskey, 

And then took seven times two. 



20 SERMONS IN RHYME 



Once on a time there was a beast : 
The first man's one son's son; 

Beast he lived and died, — beast only, 
And now the story's done. 



IN THE "UPPER GARDEN" 

I am the reswrection and the life. — John xi, 25. 

Beloved, Beloved, 

Shall we not rejoice to meet, 
In the beauteous "upper garden," 

Nearby the golden street? 

Beloved, Beloved, 

Say to me love's words again 
In the glorious ' ' upper garden, ' ' 

Untouched by death and pain. 

Beloved, Beloved, 

I shall see you glad and grand, 
In the radiant "upper garden," 

And run to reach your hand. 

Beloved, Beloved, 

Oh, the joy when we shall cast, 
Near the feet of our Saviour 

Our crowns, Beloved, at last! 



SERMONS IN RHYME 21 



THE LAST DECISION 

S1lo.11 not the Judge of all the earth do right? — 
Genesis xviii, 25. 

Your best, and scorned so, — 
Your truest and best, — 
As with, scorn of a foe? 
Ah, man, woman, or child, 

Cease your sob, dry your tear ; 
For God has a place where all of your best 

Will glory and shine evermore. Do not fear ! 

No judgment, no promise 
Can stand, or can keep, 
Save the Judge's of Heaven. 
Though you faint, though you weep, 

Cease to doubt, — cease to fear : 
For God has a place for all of your best, 

Though it fail, and it fall, and it falter, while here. 



CHRISTMAS 

For God so loved the toorld! — John Hi, 16. 

Oh, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas! 

"When the heart is young, to see 
The secrets by the chimney, 

And the charms upon the tree ! 



22 SERMONS IN RHYME 

Oh, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas! 

When the heart is worn and old, 
Let's ease it of its burdens, 

With some thought or deed of gold. 

Oh, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas! 

Oh, God's gift that we might be 
Forever rich and happy, 

And forever young and free ! 



THE WORLD IN A SLING 

Thy tvill he done. — MaWiew vi, 10. 

When a wilful child, and ignorant, 

I wanted the world in my sling. 
Ah, desperate plight for the world and the child : 

The world all a child 's to fling ! 

But now, with my eyes turned heavenward, 
Let me learn, oh, the great, great thing: — 

As long as I will, and as much as I ask, 
My world is in God 's sure sling. 



SERMONS IN RHYME 23 

LOST 

Why stand ye here all the day idle? — Matthew xx, 6. 

Lost, — now a woman, a child, a man ! 
Will you save one if you can ? 
"Lost in a heathen land? 
Lost on the desert's sand? 
Lost on the waters wide ? ' ' 
Aye, aye, — and by your side. 

Lost, — now a woman, a child, a man ! 

Will you save one if you can? 

"At parting of the ways? 

In dark and bitter days? 

In stress of strenuous tide?" 

Aye, aye, — and by your side. 

Lost, — now a woman, a child, a man ! 

Will you save one if you can? 

' ' In maze of forest land, 

Led by a wicked band, 

Where gems and minerals hide ? ' ' 

Aye, aye, — and by your side. 

Lost, — now a woman, a child, a man 
Will you save one if you can ? 
"Lost in the house, or street, 
Far from the mercy seat ? 
Lost in a mountain slide?" 
Aye, aye, — and by your side. 



24 SERMONS IN RHYME 

Lost, — now a woman, a child, a man ! 
Will you save one if you can? 
' ' In pulpit or in pew, 
In secret or in view, 
Going to hell's jaws wide?" 
Aye, aye, — and by your side. 

HEAVEN 

/ go to prepare a place for you. — John xiv, 2. 

Heaven, Heaven, Heaven, 
With gleaming golden street, — 

Where all the saints have singing hearts 
And joy's young, tripping feet! 

Heaven, Heaven, Heaven, 
With river, calm and grand, 

And joy and praise and music sweet 
Through all the fair, wide land ! 

Heaven, Heaven, Heaven, 

Where all love's dream comes true, 

And all my prayer for Paradise, 
And all my prayer for you. 

Heaven, Heaven, Heaven, — 

In all the land so wide 
No one with sighing, tear, or pain, 

No one with prayer denied. 



SERMONS IN RHYME 25 



Heaven, Heaven, Heaven, — 

We will forget all woe 
Within the city of delight, 

Where all Christ 's saved shall go ! 

Heaven, Heaven, Heaven, — 
Where love abides alway, 

Where there is joy without alloy 
Forever and for aye ! 

Heaven, Heaven, Heaven, — 

No vision here can see 
The beauty of that home of joy, 

Prepared for you and me. 



TWO MASTERS, TWO FIELDS, TWO PATHS, 
AND TWO HOMES 

No man can serve two masters. — Matthew vi, 24- 

If I love not my God, 

I am the devil 's own ; 
And he will use me as his slave — 

Will scourge me to the bone. 

If I belong to God 

I 'm bought, but I am free ; 

For in the service that is love 's 
No bondage can there be. 



26 SERMONS IN RHYME 



If I with Satan walk 

Along his homeward road, 

I shall find only, — my soul ! — 
Remorse in his abode. 

If I walk with my Lord, 
Safe in the ' ' narrow way, ' ' 

The path leads to the Land of Joy, 
Unto the ' ' perfect day. ' ' 

Work I in Satan's field, 
This harvest mine to reap : 

To eat my heart out, like a slave, ' 
'er sins and sorrows deep. 

But in God's vineyard vast 
The grapes of grace are mine, 

And every drop of wine 's a gem 
Set where God's jewels shine. 



THE CALL OF THE HOME 

A city which hath foundations. — Hebrews xi, 10. 

city with foundations, — 

Where every heart is true, 
And every hand is loyal, — 

I often think of you. 



SERMONS IN RHYME 27 



city with foundations 

Enduring, grand, and fair, — 
The worldly things I build on 

Are light as whiffs of air. 

city with foundations, 

Joy's sojourn for the blest, — 
city with foundations, 

There wait me wealth and rest ! 

PREPAREDNESS 

/ came not to send Peace, but a sword. — Matthew x, 3Jf. 

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build 
it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman loaketh 
but in vain. — Psalm cxxvii, 1. 

People of God, what is this ? 

A cloud for the heart and the sky. 
Oh, that we would prepare 

To heed the Lord Most High ! 

People of God, now prepare ! 

Will you dare to judge that your God 
Did all unthinking say: 

"Put down your sword and rod"? 

People of God, oh, prepare, — 

Oh, prepare you to heed your God, 
Ere He lets slip your soul, 
To perish neath the sod ! 



28 SERMONS IN RHYME 



People of God, now prepare ! 

God to each grants a time and place, 
To prove if we will heed,— 

If we will seek His grace. 

People of God, now prepare! 

We are soldiers of Christ to-day, 
So 'tis but ours to heed, — 

Not ours to disobey! 

People of God, what is this 

But the same serpent steeped in guile, 
To make the heart rebel, 

To cheat, and to defile ? 

Peoples there were that ' ' prepared, ' ' — 
What have they but hell in the heart ; 

Hell on every hearthstone, 
And hell in every mart? 

People of God, what is this ? 

Though you make your forts thick with fire ; 
And fill the land with guns ; — 

Will these stay sin 's desire ? . 

Bullets and shells you may have, 
You may live in war's fiery path, — 

Will these things kill your sin? 
Will these all stay God 's wrath ? 



SERMONS IN RHYME 29 



"Not to send peace, but a sword." — 
Sword of the Spirit, all good, 

Now pierce the heart and slay 
This beast, — the Lust for Blood ! 



MAGDALENE 

He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at 
her. — John viii, 7. 

Magdalene, Magdalene, 

With your red mouth Satan kissed, — 
Magdalene, Magdalene, 
I weep for all that you have bought, 

And for all that you have missed. 

Magdalene, Magdalene, 

"Wondrous great God's mercies are, — 
Magdalene, Magdalene, — 
To wash all white your soul of sin, 

And to cleanse you from all scar ! 

Magdalene, Magdalene, 

Ere I draw my skirts from you, — 
Magdalene, Magdalene, — 
"With prayer and tears let me recall 
How I need God's fountain too! 



30 SERMONS IN RHYME 

THE HERO'S FAILURE 

HENRY FORD 
A. treasure in the heavens that faileth not. — Luke xii, 

The hero sailed forth, 
His heart quick with joy ; 

And he lavished his gold 
With the zest of a boy. 

Forth with him there sailed 

A small, ardent band ; 
For his mission was great, — 

Yes, his mission was grand. 

The rabble, though, said, 

' ' This man is a fool ! 
I will not lend my voice, 

And I won 't lend my tool. 

' ' That is not my way, ' ' 

The jeering mob cried, 
And they scoffed at his deed. — 

All may scoff and deride ; 

But will there not be 

Bright stars in his crown, 

When the world 's way is done, 
And the last ship goes down ? 



SERMONS IN RHYME 31 

SLAVES 

Their lives bitter with hard bondage. — Exodus i, V}. 

slaves, slaves, slaves ! 

Would that my cry be heard,— 
A warning like an angel's 

With clearness of a bird ! 

slaves, slaves, slaves ! 

Is wife or child a slave 
To Satan that is in you, — 

Or fed on food he gave ? 

slaves, slaves, slaves! 

Is husband, — child, — a slave 
To sin that you have harbored, 

To sin you kept and gave ? 

slaves, slaves, slaves, — 

At home or in the wild, 
With bondage of your evil, — 

Man, woman or a child ! 

slaves, slaves, slaves, — 

Man, woman, child, with bands 

That Satan made and fastened 
Both on your heart and hands ! 



32 SERMONS IN RHYME 



slaves, slaves, slaves ! 

In parlor, kitchen, street, 
Are slaves you bind and shackle, 

And lay at Satan's feet! 

O slaves, slaves, slaves, 
By blow on heart or cheek, 

By bondage of your meaning, 
By evil words you speak ! 

slaves, slaves, slaves, — 

The youth with his young heart, 
Will you there write sin's legend? 

There paint black Satan's art? 

slaves, slaves, slaves ! 

The maid, like spring a-south, 
Why touch you with sin's fire 

Her cheek, her soft red mouth ? 

O slaves, slaves, slaves, — 
I see the chains you wear; — 

Since Satan bound them on you, 
You weakly keep them there ! 

slaves, slaves, slaves ! 

In this land we call free, — 
A land that's called God's country ,- 

What countless slaves we see ! 



SERMONS IN RHYME 33 



slaves, slaves, slaves, — 

God rend the chains you wear, 

Ere you learn in hell's darkness 
No chains are broken there ! 

slaves, slaves, slaves, — 
May God forbid to-day 

That you, with heart unfettered, 
Be led from Him away! 



THE BRUNT OF THE FIGHT 

They bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay 
them on men's shoulders. — Matthew xxiii, Jf. 

Oh, the fight has come, 

And the fight is won; 
But I've no word from Jim, 

From the sun to the sun. 

Oh, the fight has come, 

And the fight is lost 
But Jim's child and I, — 

We must now pay the cost. 

The boss sat his horse 

On a distant height; 
Jim fought on hot ground, 

In the teeth of the fight. 



34 SERMONS IN RHYME 



Oh, the big man feasts, 

Upon the big hill; 
On the field of blood 

Lies my Jim, dead and still. 

Oh, the big crowd cheers, — 
Still cheers the big boss ; 

But Jim's child and I, — 
Oh, our part's but the loss. 

Oh, the big man's word 

Created the fight; 
But Jim's child and I 

Cry and starve in the night. 

Oh, my Jim and I, 

We tried to live right; 
We needed no gun, 

And we wanted no fight. 

Oh, would it were so 

That men who war shout 

Be put in a pen, 

Where they might think it out; 

Until they be taught 

From God 's precious word : 
No right grows from wrong 

For aught, — man, beast, or bird. 



SERMONS IN RHYME 35 

EASTER 

He is risen! — Mark xvi, 6. 

Oh, seal could never stay Him, 

Nor soldiers with sword in hand, 
When He rose from the grave triumphant, 

To go back to glory land! 

So, Saviour, by the greatness 

Of Thy heart that bled for me, 
/ shall rise from the grave triumphant, 

An angel of joy to be. 



DELILAH 

Whose name was Delilah. — Judges xvi, Jf- 

How many a man is bound and led 

To Satan's path and lair, 
By a woman whose best is only "a rag 

And a bone and a hank of hair ! ' ' 

How many a man is bound and led, 

In paths that lead but down, 
By the lure of a cheek that is Satan's own, 

And the swish of a sin-worn gown ! 



36 SERMONS IN RHYME 



THE TRAITOR'S WEALTH 

Yea, mine own familiar friend, vn whom I trusted, which did 
eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. — 
Psalm xli, 9. 

Ah, gold to clink in my coffers, 

And gold for your heed while I speak; — 

And my spurs in the breast of my brother 
"With his white face silent and meek ! 

Ah, gold to clink in my coffers, 
And Satan to have and to sell ; — 

And I 've bought with the clink of his money 
My lodging and keep in his hell ! 



JUST A WOMAN; NOT A SUFFRAGETTE 

She hath done what she could. — Mark xiv, 8. 

Oh, just to be a woman, 
If the Lord has made me so ! 

I do not need a trumpet; 
I need not lead the show. 

Oh, just to be a woman, 
And to do the best I can, 

Just where the Lord has placed me, 
For all this life 's brief span ! 



SERMONS IN RHYME 37 



Oh, just to be a woman, 
With no littleness of heart 

To envy God-made sparrow, 
Or God-made man, his part. 

Oh, just to be a woman, 
And to seek to serve my Lord ! 

I need not wear the tinsel, 
I need no spur nor sword. 

Oh, just to be a woman, 
If I can but win for me, 

The greatest of all guerdons 
For mortal there can be ! 

Oh, just to be a woman! 

If I do the best I can, 
I need not fear nor sorrow 

That I am not a man. 

Oh, just to be a woman ! 

If I do my best with care, — 
In brilliant sphere, or twilit, — 
No angel more can dare. 



38 SERMONS IN RHYME 



CHEER UP! 

In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer.- 
John xvi, 33. 

Cheer up, my brother! 

The day is not for long ; 
Now speak to your mate all cheerily; 

Now carry your cross with a song. 

Cheer up, O my brother! 

Now make this day your best, 
When the sun comes up on the eastern hill, 

When the sun goes down in the west. 

Cheer up, my brother ! 

The fight will not last long; 
How long, though, — thank God ! — is eternity, 

And the joy-land's glory and song! 

Cheer up, O my brother! 

'Tis not alone for gold, 
That the cheerful giver is dear to God, 

Whose mercies are manifold. 



SERMONS IN RHYME 39 
THE BROKEN PROMISE 

Pay that which thou hast vowed. — Ecclesiastes v, 4- 

And I forgot you, O my promise, 

To the little child await 
With weary heart and footsteps, 

And hand upon the gate. 

And I forgot you, my promise, 

To the one in prime of life, 
Who needed your fulfillment 

To stay the stress of life. 

And I forgot you, my promise, 
To the one so worn and old, 

Who waited in the twilight 
Till the last hour was tolled. 



OPPORTUNITY 

While it is called to-day. — Hebrews Hi, 13. 

I come, I come ; 
And the hours are yours for deeds ; — 
And my heart is full with love ; 
And my hands are full with seeds ! 



40 SERMONS IN RHYME 

I come, I come, 
"With the first ray of the morn, 
And the wide world needs my love! — 
Do you greet me but with scorn? 

I come, I come ; 
And I beg you sow good seeds ! — 
Do you turn to dress sin's hate? 
Do you turn to spray sin's weeds? 

I come, I come ; 
And I greet you with the morn ! — 
And you might have sweets to bloom, 
And the fine gold of the corn. 

I come, I come ; 
And yours but to take to win !— 
Do you bind your heart and hand 
At the past's trash-pile of sin? 

I come, I come ! — 
I am yours until the night ! 
Will you sleep till sleep is death, 
And sin 's veil shuts out the light ? 



SERMONS IN RHYME 41 

JEZEBEL 

That icoman Jezebel. — Revelation ii, 20. 

Do you dread the devil? 

His wiles, his bonds, his hell ? 
Do you dread the devil ? 

Ah, you do well. 

Do you dread the devil ? 

In the form of dove or pelf? 
Do you dread the devil, — 

Ah, in yourself? 

Do you dread the devil ? 

In the form of child or man ? 
Dread him then more deeply, 

Ah, if you can. 

Do you dread the devil ? 

More than your tongue can tell ? 
Dread him then more greatly 

As Jezebel ! — 

Ah, perhaps with beauty, — 

And fair and soft of cheek ; 
"With her false lips framing 

Fair words to speak ! 



42 SERMONS IN RHYME 

CO-WORKERS WITH GOD 

Feed my lambs. — John xxi, 15. 

If it were your child, — yours, — 

Here, serene and still, 
Waiting here unconscious, 

Where the devil feeds his mill ; — 

If it were your child, — yours, — 
Here, where hell's gulf lies, 

On his lips light laughter, 

And a smile in the young eyes ; — 

If it were your child, — yours, — 
Here, within Christ's land, 

Breathing in sin's poison, 

And with poison in his hand; — 

If it were your child, — yours, — 

Starving, sick, and lost, 
Would you wait to save it? — 

Would you wait and count the cost' 

If it were your child, — yours, — 

Would you rest and wait? 
Would you wait for pleasure ; 

Wait for gain, or wait for hate ? 

If it were your child, — yours, — 
But heed you now, and stay ! 

This may be God's child here. 
Will you not help God to-day ? 



SERMONS IN RHYME 43 

THE PERFECT PATTERN 

He is altogether lovely. — The Song of Songs v, 16. 

brother and sister, away! — 
Away with the curse and the sin 

That you take your pattern from people, 
And from what they are and have been. 

brother and sister, away ! — 

Away with this curse to the heart ; 

And make but the Saviour your pattern, 
Although death and hell be my part ! 

brother and sister, away ! 

The Master and message but see ! 
Oh, cease you to look at man 's frailties ; 

Oh, take you no pattern from me ! 

IDOLS 

Thou shalt have no other gods before me. — Exodus xx, 2. 

Oh, strange, strange, strange, — 

For all the Lord has done, 
Yet the world is full of idols 

Where souls kneel from sun to sun ! 

Oh, strange, strange, strange! 

Not all in "heathen land," 
But in this our time and country, 

They are praised with heart and hand. 



44 SERMONS IN RHYME 

Oh, strange, strange, strange, 
To give one 's life, one 's blood, 

Unto things consumed by fire, 

"Wrecked by wind, or storm, or flood ! 

Oh, strange, strange, strange, 
To give one's time, one's soul, 

For the palate 's mess of pottage, 
Or for some like senseless dole ! 

Oh, strange, strange, strange! 

Some are idols made of gold ; 
Some are toys of yielding putty ; 

Some are new, and some are old. 

Oh, strange, strange, strange ! 

Do you adore a child, — 
Or a man, or stone, or woman 1 — 

Is your idol undefiled? 

Oh, strange, strange, strange! 

Dear God, lead us away, « 
Ere we perish with our idols, 

As we worship day by day. 

Oh, strange, strange, strange! 

Dear God, break them as clay ; 
Or make these idols hateful, 

So we turn from them away. 



SERMONS IN RHYME 45 



Oh, strange, strange, strange! 

God strike them from above, 
Ere we learn too late, by losing, 

The strength of Thy great love. 



THE UNRULY TONGUE 

Keep thy tongue from evil. — Psalm xxxiv, 13. 

'Twas all within a moment 
That he spoke the bitter word ; 

But now his child is lying 

"Where no word of his is heard. 

'Twas all within a moment 

That she spurned her man with seorn ; 
And now he can not hear her, 

There, where the dead are gone. 

A word I gave a neighbour, 
But the evil word came back, 

To cut into my weary heart, 
And scourge, and rend, and rack. 

A word I gave a neighbour ; 

But it sprouted swift great wings ; — 
And, like a flying serpent vile, 

Fast as it flies it stings. 



46 SERMONS IN RHYME 



Unto swift air I uttered 

Just a word, lost in the wild ; 

But lo, that word has come to fall 
On the head of my child ! 

A word I yesterday withheld, — 
Just a word I should have said ; — 

Upon my silence falls God's wrath, 
Living be I, or dead. 



TO-DAY 

Go work to-day in my vineyard. — Matthew xxi, 28. 

Said one : ' ' When I count not my millions 

On my fingers and my toes, 
I shall feel what 'tis to live, 

And shall deal with mankind's woes." 

Said one : "Let me lend you my eyesight, 
Ere fall night, and day shall close ; 

For when the morrow cometh 
It is neither friend's nor foe's." 



SERMONS IN RHYME 47 



HEARTBREAKING 

For God shall bring every work into judgment. — 
Ecclestiastes xii, llf. 

What ! not shunned at the hearthstone ? 

Not branded in the mart? 
But God is the judge of the culprit! — 

Are you breaking a human heart? 

What ! not shunned at the hearthstone ? 

Not branded in the mart ? 
Yet thief you are, maybe, and slayer 

Of somebody 's helpless heart. 

What ! not in charge of the warden ! 

Not branded red with shame ? 
But is not your crime even greater 

Than those that the felons defame? 

No, not shunned at the hearthstone, 

Nor branded in the mart! 
But you culprits must come to the judgment 

Of One who knows every heart. 



48 SERMONS IN RHYME 

MISTER AND MISTRESS TIMESERVER 

Unstable as water. — Genesis xliv, 4- 

Mister and Mistress Timeserver, a word I would have 

with you: 
An hour ago the moon was cheese ; but now the moon 

is dew. 

An hour ago the world was square ; and now the world 

is round. 
You hide with every hare that hides; you run with 

every hound. 

You strive to please the ignorant, and, too, the man 

of sense ; 
You march on this side and on that ; you sit upon the 

fence. 

You are one with the quiet-tongued ; agree with all 

that's said: 
You wish that I would live for aye; you wish that I 

were dead. 

Mister and Mistress Timeserver, for me the lonesome 

track, 
Before I'd hide behind your hedge, or howl amid your 

pack. 

Mister and Mistress Timeserver, I wish for you no ill ; 
But I was tired when we met and I am tired still. 



SERMONS IN RHYME 49 



THE POOR RICH MAN 

He went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. — 
Matthew xix, 22. 

poor rich man, whose full bins o 'er-flow ; 

poor rich man, with your gold you love so ; 

If in dear Christ's heart the beggar comes first, 

He is rich, while your soul dies of hunger and thirst. 



AT THE MARRIAGE ALTAR 

THE DIVORCEE'S VOWS 
As sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. — / Corinthians xiii, 1. 

For richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, 
And for each and for every day, — 

For richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, 
To honor, to love, and obey. 

For richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, 
These the words that her marriage vows say, — 

For richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, — 
She is marrying another to-day ! 



50 SERMONS IN RHYME 



THE DEVIL'S CASTOFF 

And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely- 
Revelation xxii, 17. 

The old man 's breath came hard and slow, 
Where the gulf of hell yawned nigh ; 

The master whom he had served so long 
Had hut flung him there to die ! 

Past the power of whip and spur ; 

For his breath was almost gone ; — 
He had served the devil 's tricks and trade : — 

And had come where hell's fires shone. 

The old man's breath came hard and slow , 
Now he understood the price, — 

The price that he had paid the fiend ; — 
Ah, to know the devil's vice ! 

And by the pit for which he 'd toiled, — 
The dread pit deep and nigh, — 

He fought against its depth and fire 
His soul to sanctify. 

He thought of mercy 's Master meek, 
Once known at his mother's knee ; 

And his soul cried out against hell 's doom, 
And he prayed it might be free ; 



SERMONS IN RHYME 51 



He plead, there lying on the ground, 
Till his soul of sin bled dry ; — 

There, on the brink of that dread pit, 
Where he'd been flung to die: 

' ' Master pure and pitying, 

"Who once was crucified 
That never a soul need be lost 

Though hell 's foul pit yawn wide ! ' ' 

And who shall judge or dare to say 
That the gates were not flung wide, — 

The gates of Heaven's city bright, — 
To him who called — then died? 

For ' ' whosoever ' ' was the word, — 
God 's generous word, so great ! — 

Embracing, with the pure in heart, 
The sinner at hell 's gate. 



GREAT MEN 

Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with 
Ood? — James iv, 4- 

Oh, the world's great men stood in sweat by the gun; 
And he mowed men down from the sun to the sun ! 



52 SERMONS IN RHYME 



And they went to their doom with curse and with 

moan; 
While the black night came down, and ne'er a star 

shone. 

But the Lord's great man reached his hands to hell's 

mouth, 
And he drew back the men from its flame and its 

drouth. 

And they smote him amain, but he turned "th 'other 

cheek"; 
For the great man of God is both mighty and meek. 



THE HEART OF THE FATHER 

As a father pitieth his children. — Psalm ciii, 13. 

My child in peril in the treacherous wild ! — 
What would I not to save him, — my own child 1 

Will not God reckon, if I am His own, 
The perils that beset me, — beast and stone ? 

My child in hunger where fell vampire feeds ! — 
Would I withhold my heart's blood for his needs? 

Will not God reckon, if I am His child, 

My needs and dangers in this treacherous wild ? 



SERMONS IN RHYME 53 

DEATH 

grave where is thy victory? — / Corinthians ocv, 55. 

I am going away to-night, my friend, 

A little while from you ; 
I am going to our home to-night ; — 

Adieu, adieu, adieu ! 

I am going away to-night, my friend, 

There I will watch for you ; 
I am going to our home to-night; — 

Adieu, adieu, adieu ! 

I am going away to-night, my friend, 

Where skies are always blue ; 
I am going to our home to-night ; — 

Adieu, adieu, adieu! 

I am going away to-night, my friend, 
Where all love 's dreams come true ; 

I am going to our home to-night ; — 
Adieu, adieu, adieu ! 

I am going away to-night, my friend, — 

God keep you safe and trUe ; 
I am going to our home to-night ; — 

Adieu, adieu, adieu! 



54 SERMONS IN EHYME 

UNDER THE ROSE 

Let not the sun go down upon your wrath. — Ephesians iv, 26. 

Yes, I loved him, 

But a quarrel came between — 
I married another, 

And I lived like a queen. 

Then he took her, 

And each wedded, weary day, 
He toiled like a bondman 

On life's burdensome way. 

But I envied her, 

'Spite of all my wealth and state, — 
Craved her cotton garments 

And the crust that she ate, 

The touch of his hand, 

Though he lay on the ground, — 

E'en the widow's cheap veil 
And the drunkard 's low mound. 

DEFEATED 

A lying tongue is but for a moment. — Proverbs xii, 19. 

He was defeated ! 

And there he stood, 
With downcast mien, 

As the vanquished should. 



SERMONS IN RHYME 55 



He was defeated! 

From yonder side 
The victor's cheers 

Rang far, rang wide. 

He was defeated? 

He fought for right! 
Then, his the triumph, 

The joy of the fight. 

He was defeated? 

Where real crowns are 
What counts this din 

That sounds afar! 



FOREVER 

Punished with everlasting destruction. — II Thessaloniams i, 9. 
Shall inherit everlasting life. — Mattheic xix, 29. 

It is not far to forever, — 

Just a slipping of the breath ; 
But vast the joy of heaven, 
' Or grief of "second death" — 
Forever ! 

It is not long to forever, — 
Perhaps ere the word is said ; 

But 'tis long, to be living, 
Or long, long to be dead, — 
Forever ! 



56 SERMONS IN RHYME 



GREATNESS 

He that is greatest among you shall be your servant. — ■ 
Matthew wxiii, 11. 

A woman of great wealth died to-day, 

She died, as she 'd lived, in the rich world 's way, — 

Died as she 'd lived, in Palace Place, 

'Mid gold and perfume and service and lace ; 

Died as she 'd lived : scorn in her heart 

For the poorness of me and my petty part ; 

But for all her pride in her golden load, 

Naught could she take to her new abode. 

A woman of great heart died to-day. 

The greatness of her makes me rich alway. 

The world is richer forevermore, 

For wealth that she gave, for the burdens she bore ; 

She died in meekness on bed of straw, 

When no one but God either knew or saw. 

She died in meekness, poor and alone ; — 

Vast may her wealth be where God crowns his own ! 



SERMONS IN RHYME 57 

THE DIFFERENCE 

Who art thou that judgest another? — James iv, 12. 

There was a poor man by one sin beset, 
Yet never a lie did that one sin beget ; 

Wherever he lived and wherever he went 

Blame, slight, and scorn were his harsh punishment. 

Another there was steeped tenfold in sin; 

But sleek, pious lies cloaked the foul soul within. 

And the foolish world said: "Oh, see this good 

man: — 
A being created on God's own great plan!" 

And the ' ' good man ' ' oft cried above the world 's din : 
"0 people, beware of my brother's foul sin!" 

So each lived, so each died, and only God knew 
How many one's sins, and the other's how few! 



58 SERMONS IN RHYME 



IN JAIL, AND OUT 

Evil communications corrupt good manners. — 
/ Corinthians wv, S3. 

Yes, Ned's in the jail, sir; 

They sent him there to-day. — 
And not only that, sir, 

But twenty years to stay. 

Ah, 'tis a strange worl', sir; 

And strange, too, is its way. — 
For 'tis poor Ned's wife, sir, 

Should be in jail to-day. 

Handsome as a dream, sir; 

Church member, — oh, you know ; 
Yet her man's in jail, sir, 

For her mad love of show. 

I know what I speak, sir, 
For Ned's one fault on earth 

Was to love that girl, sir, — 
A girl who wasn't worth. 

Just to live in style, sir, — 
Yes ; that was all her creed. 

Ned in jail twenty years 
A-payin' for her greed! 



SERMONS IN RHYME 59 

GOD'S COUNTRY 

A better country, that is, an heavenly. — Hebrews xi, 16. 

I am thinking that that better land is grand and fair 

and wide ; 
And that there is joy's completeness on each and 

every side. 

I am thinking that the music there is sweetest ever 

heard ; 
And I could not paint its beauty, far beyond mere 

mortal word. 

I am thinking that there love will say all words here 

left unsaid ; 
For, in the country that is God's, love ne'er is mute 

or dead. 

I am thinking how each cup of joy is full to overflow, 
And that of grief or sorrow no heart will dream or 
know. 

I am thinking that there each will find one's own 

peculiar joy; 
Yes, even for the little child, some longed-for strange 

new toy. 

I am thinking that the love of Christ must wash my 

soul all white 
Before I find that country with its love and joy and 

light. 



